From time to time I have articles published in the Henderson Dispatch in their Faith section.  Here is an article from June, 2011. 

Many of the conversations I have had lately rapidly turn to the problems we face in the church such as shrinking attendance, financial constraints, and a sense that the church is losing its influence in the world. The United Methodist Church has recently spent a great deal of time and effort examining these and other related issues. Those of us within the denomination are praying and thinking about what it means to build “vital congregations” as way to renew the energy and vigor of the Church in the 21st Century.

So just what is a “vital congregation?” Alfred Gwinn, Bishop of the North Carolina Annual Conference, recently declared that “vital congregations are spirit-filled, forward leaning communities of believers.” The simple definition offered by Bishop Gwinn is loaded with meaning and direction for Christians seeking to reinvigorate their churches.

First, vital churches must be “forward leaning.” This means that churches have to have an eye on the future. This is not a call to ignore the proud history of local churches nor is it an automatic push to incorporate contemporary music and flashy technology into worship services. Those things may have their appropriate place but being “forward leaning” is less about specific tactics and more about developing an understanding that what made the church great yesterday is not necessarily a recipe for success tomorrow. A “forward leaning” church is at least open to the possibilities of change and accepts the reality that the future will not look the same as the past.

Second, vital churches are “spirit-filled.” If churches could do just one thing to become more vital in the future they should focus on inviting the Holy Spirit to be at the center of the church’s existence. We learn in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” A spirit-filled church, first and foremost, is focused on proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Such churches do not try to conform to the ways of the world. Instead spirit-filled churches are committed to being shaped in the image of Christ. Spirit-filled churches understand that it is God alone who brings vitality and use that knowledge to determine every action.

Pentecost is a particularly apt time for Christians to concentrate their attention on building vital churches under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Christians should offer fervent prayer for the divine wind and righteous fire of the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and to warm the hearts of those who hear the message that Jesus Christ is Lord!